My First IEP
Nothing is more daunting than attending that first Eligibility/Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting for your child. Listening to the results of the evaluation can be hard to digest and the sheer amount of information in an IEP is overwhelming. Here are some things to consider:
Ask if the school is conducting the eligibility and the IEP meeting simultaneously. The invite should indicate this information. Schools often do both at once, but if you feel it may be overwhelming, ask to break it up. Either way, ask for evaluation reports and draft goals in advance of the meeting. This will help you prepare for the meeting and have a chance to write down questions.
If you are feeling anxious about the meeting (and who wouldn’t be), call the school psychologist and/or Director in advance of your scheduled appointment to discuss what to expect. Even though the contents of an IEP are mandated, each school has a different flow or feel to their process. These are people that can help answer questions and give you information about your rights. They are on your side and are there to support you!
Familiarize yourself with the parents rights guide in Illinois Click here for the link. It is a lot of information, but the format is easy to read and helpful. It will be important to take some time to read and learn your parental rights. Unfortunately, schools will not often explain everything to you, usually because of time constraints. The more you know, the easier it will be.
Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions. If something feels uncomfortable or not quite right, say something. You know your child and you have a say about what decisions are made regarding educational programming. If things get heated, ask to reconvene. Sometimes high intensity meetings are just not productive and people need time to regroup.
After you leave the meeting, take time to read the IEP. You will have questions and, most likely, someone will have been assigned to case manage your child’s IEP. This is a great person to call for any additional clarifications regarding the document and implementation.
If you feel uncomfortable with the process, there are plenty of people out there to help. You can always seek advice from a professional advocate or attorney. The Illinois State Board of Education also has procedures in place to help with difficult situations. Here is the link to your procedural safeguards.
However that first IEP meeting goes, it will be the start of securing services for your child in the public school setting, which is a great thing. Stay tuned for more information on the IEP process.
All the best,
